It should be a huge media story today that the family of a woman allegedly killed in Cobram on Tuesday were so scared of what the media might do to her in print they first released information to a relatively small anonymous activist group - MFW - instead of to that same media. But of course it isn't, because these press orgs are as silent as the grave on this issue. It’s far too embarrassing and shameful for them to acknowledge their trashed reputations and shortcomings, of course (which is, to be honest, just another form of lying). Dozens of journos have messaged us this morning wanting the information we posted earlier verified to them and while most have been polite and understanding, some are upset and annoyed they haven't been treated today like the news gods they believe themselves to be. One even asked us "Who the hell do you witches think you are?" Well, maybe if they deserved respect and consideration when reporting on women's issues and deaths, they might just get some of it back. Emma Bates's family trusted us because Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Stokes have proven they'll harm women (particularly women victims) at every opportunity for link clicks and profit. But also because nearly all other mainstream media outlets (including The Age just YESTERDAY) still repeatedly valorise perpetrators, blame alternative issues for the violence, and demean and minimise victims. So this family quite rightly didn't trust how the death of their loved one would be reported. Who is damn well surprised? Of course, now we've posted information about Emma and explained why we were trusted with it, that same media will go after us even more than they have in recent years. Any type of whistleblower in this country (and those exposing media behaviour in particular) can count on being lied about, destroyed and attacked in preference to those harming others accepting and changing their own loathsome behaviour. When individuals call out this media misogyny, they end up being abused in big bold letters on the front pages of Rupert’s rags. This hasn’t happened to us (yet) only because they don’t want to give more attention to our boycott campaigns, but this means they DO find other ways to harm us. In coming days we'll have more to say about this topic, so please ensure you're getting our tweets if you want to know the full story. But today and for now, we mourn Emma Bates. We're so sorry for her family, and we thank them for trusting us with a small part of her life and story. Rest in Power, Emma. #WarOnWomen
PS: It didn’t escape our attention for a minute that despite being told in our previous post today that Emma’s family wanted privacy in their grief (and even stating Emma’s parents are unwell so really need this privacy) the journalists who contacted us were insistent that we give them contact numbers and other information for Emma’s family members. We’ve also heard some media organisations have turned up at a family member’s home DESPITE being asked to leave them alone. We understand journalists and their employers want and even need stories to survive, but their behaviour today in contravening asked-for consideration shows the unhinged entitlement, hubris and lack of concern about who they harm so many of them routinely display. #WarOnWomen
@MFWitches I’m read today not charging him with “murder” (yet) because coroner said she may have died due to her diabetes- that can’t be true can it ?🤬
@MFWitches @Heather15814898 Brilliant work @MFWitches. Keep fighting.
@MFWitches Nothing was mentioned on the ABC news last night. Disgusting
@MFWitches Wow that’s such wonderful credit to MFW. Well done Witches. It’s also an indictment on main media organisations. I used to think that, if something terrible newsworthy story happened to me, I would only talk to the ABC. Now, I can’t even do that. Over to MFW.👏👏👏👏👏🙂🙂
@MFWitches This post should be compulsory reading for those in the media and others who think they know better